How to Groom a Cow

Grooming your cow can be a fun but time-consuming practice. If you plan on showing your cow or calf at a farm show, grooming is an important and necessary step in preparing for competition. By grooming your cow, you are helping clean the animal and make its coat and body definition look its best. Even if you don't show your cow, regular grooming will keep it looking healthy and clean.

Things You'll Need

  • Cow shampoo
  • Rubber curry comb or stiff brush
  • Blow drier
  • Scotch comb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash the cow monthly. During a month leading up to a show, wash it weekly instead. Wet the cow's coat thoroughly with water, either with a bucket or a hose. Apply shampoo designed specially for cows, working it into the coat. Lather it all over the body and the legs.

    • 2

      Scrub the cow with a rubber curry comb or stiff brush, scrubbing deeply to wash away flakes of dead skin. Hold down the cow's ears and head while washing its head.

    • 3

      Rinse the soap and dead skin off the cow completely using a hose or buckets of water. Repeat the entire washing and rinsing process. Add 3 tablespoons of vinegar to a gallon of water to make the final rinse, which helps remove soap film.

    • 4

      Blow dry the cow's coat. Position the drier so all the hair dries in the same direction. Scrape off any excess water with a scotch comb.

    • 5

      Comb the cow's hair with a rice root brush daily. Brush at a 30-degree upward angle to help the hair grow better. Use the scotch comb on the day of the show to fix any hair that is out of place.